THE Lib Dem, Labour and Tory Conferences have all promised a better life for the people of Britain.

They have all blamed each other for the state we are in and have promised to fight crime, build up the economy, reduce immigration, provide better schools for our children, and create a better NHS.

We have charity groups in this country tirelessly fundraising for vital medical equipment for hospitals, for scanners, special baby care incubators, to keep air ambulance helicopters flying, or rehabilitate wounded service personnel, or to send seriously ill children to America for lifesaving treatments.

Yet successive British governments continue to send billions of pounds in foreign aid to countries, where most of those who need it never benefit from it.

Instead it ends up in the coffers of those governments, to fund the lifestyles of their elites and to arm their bodyguards and militias.

Is that putting the needs of the British people first? Is this a politician’s idea of fairness?

I do not vote, and I am told that our fathers and grandfathers fought and died in two world wars to give me the opportunity to vote in a free and democratic society!

But I say, they also fought and died for freedom of speech, fairness, and justice, and we certainly don’t have that either.

What we do have is an NHS which has more bureaucratic managers than doctors and nurses, a police force afraid to fight crime for fear of infringing on criminals’ civil liberties, and human rights, teachers who have no authority in schools, prisons which have the same facilities as a five-star hotel, and a welfare system which is a cash cow for the rest of the world, plus a bunch of politicians who couldn’t tell the truth if they tried.

Rule Britannia.

Alan Parkinson

Lower Cumberworth

Still no ban on dogs

I WAS very pleased to read the letter sent in by Andy Whitworth of Longwood on Thursday, September 29, about the banning of dogs from playing fields and parks by Calderdale Council.

If Calderdale can do this then why not Kirklees? I sent in a similar letter 17 years ago but nothing has been done to stop all the filth littered around on public places.

H BARROWCLOUGH

Waterloo

Increased rail security

THERE is no doubt that the increasing levels of cable theft is having a serious effect on the running of our railways.

Last Friday’s chaos at Huddersfield Railway Station proves the point.

If we are to stop the situation escalating out of control, Northern Rail needs to invest in visible staffing, track patrols and security.

This would go some way to avoiding rail disruption.

JOHN APPLEYARD

Liversedge

Marriage benefits

PERHAPS before rushing to condemn Baroness Shreela Flather’s so called ‘jibe’, the Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance (Examiner, ‘Huddersfield’s Pakistani community fume over Baroness Flather’s benefits jibe’ September 27) should have got their facts right.

Baroness Flather was pointing out how ‘some’ Muslim men were having children by several wives to exploit the benefits system.

As bigamy and polygamy are illegal in this country subsequent ‘marriages’ by the Nikah ceremony are not recognised by the authorities.

This makes the bride, when she has any children, a single mother, thus being eligible for increased benefits.

The Baroness was quoted as saying that men hailing from Pakistan and other Muslim nations were exploiting the system.

I do not doubt that many respectable Muslim families condemn this practice – but only someone from Baroness Flather’s ethnic background seems to be able to speak out about it.

PAUL FRANCE

Marsden

School reunion

MAY I, through your columns, thank Maureen and Linda and all involved for the school reunion at Kirkheaton Old School on Friday, September 30?

I had a wonderful evening and met many old school friends with whom I shared happy memories of our school days over 55 years ago.

Special thanks to Anne and Vilma for the photos and memorabilia.

BRIAN LAWRENCE

Golcar

Doorstep religion

IF there is one thing that must annoy many people it’s when people come to their door and try to convert them to their religion, the main culprits being Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.

I am not an atheist but I think who one worships and go about doing this is a private matter and what right does anyone have to tell you are wrong, when there isn’t any positive proof behind it?

We can all use the Bible to help us in life as it is a book of wisdom about some people’s experiences in life, but many people tend to twist its meaning which, to my way of thinking, is wrong.

If people want to push religion please don’t come to our doors.

Get on your soapbox in the town centre or elsewhere, then those who are interested might come along and listen.

COLIN VAUSE

Marsh

How to stop burglars

WHY is it West Yorkshire Police always put officers out on patrol after the horse as bolted i.e. burglaries in Bradley?

There’s no point having officers patrolling a area after the event – they need to be there to stop it occurring in the first place.

The burglars aren’t going to be there now they’ll lie low until every thing goes quiet again then return.

It’s time the police got active before the event – by that I mean it’s happening in broad daylight as well as night time.

Lets see these areas patrolled regularly day and night and catch them.

Alternating your routes so Billy the burglar doesn’t know when or which way your going pop up from next time.

Mr Annoyed

Bradley

Junction closure

I HAVE read with interest the two recent articles regarding the closing of the Junction Pub and make the following comments.

I have been going to the Junction Pub at Marsh for more than 30 years.

In that time I have seen some very good managers and some who were abysmal.

Nine years ago Emily took over and, by dint of hard work and huge amounts of enthusiasm, transformed what was a dingy, poorly patronised pub into a successful, thriving community hub which was enjoyed by people of all ages.

Rowdy and other undesirable elements were excluded and so whole families from grandparents to babes in arms could enjoy their time there.

That circumstances have forced the pub to close is a crying shame.

Marsh needs the Junction and I hope it reopens soon with a licensee with as much ability and enthusiasm as Emily put into it.

But I’m not holding my breath.

RM

Lindley

Peel Street problem

I WONDER how long it will be before Kirklees Council does something about the dangerous condition of Peel Street?

If one leaves the market by the Peel Street doors and attempts to cross this road he/she is advised to look very carefully because there is a very deep dip next to a humped surface there (no doubt made by the frequent buses passing along that way).

Has anyone fallen there yet?

Elsie M Eva

Lepton

Where’s real Labour?

IN response to Bill Armer’s letter about the Labour Party, I agree with his opinion. I find myself disillusioned with new Labour union bashing, and not speaking up for the most vulnerable in society.

I yearn for a Labour Party leader in the mould of a Keir Hardie, Clement Atlee, Hugh Gaitskell or a Harold Wilson or other great socialist visionaries as Aneurin Bevan, Tony Benn or a Barbara Castle who stood for the trade unions and the vulnerable in society, not the right tripe I hear from Ed Miliband, Ed Balls or Harriet Harman.

STEPHEN FLYNN

Almondbury

Textile memories

I’M an amateur film maker and I’m trying to collect and record the memories and reminiscences of former Colne Valley textile mill workers.

A little work has so far been done but it is the human contribution I’m short of. So if any Examiner readers think they can help, I’d be delighted to hear from them when I would have the opportunity to explain my ideas further.

I can be contacted either by email at barry_smith22@sky.com or by telephone on 01 274 95 1270.